Automatic igniter for match-boxes.



PATENTED JAN. 30, 1906.

J. S. URBAN. AUTOMATIC IGNITEB. FOR MATCH BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1905.

wow m LJ 7v m 0 W10 0 l ITF SAFS A T FFIDE JOSEPH SYLVESTER URBAN, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ANDREWV EDWARD NIEBLING, F INDIANAPOLIS,

INDIANA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 80, 1906.

Application filed June 20, 1905. Serial No. 266,114.

- following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the invention, refer ence being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a matchbox having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same, showing the igniter branch sprung back out of igniting position in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the igniter attachment. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the igniter attachment acting as the spring for the box-cover, with the box-cover open and the igniter branch d sprung back out of igniting position. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail fragmentary sectional views showing a modified form of the invention. Fig. 7 shows the box in fragmentary detail view as modified for the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The invention has relation to an igniter attachment for match-boxes 3 and it consists in the novel construction and combinations of parts, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, the lettera, designates a matchbox of the usual pocket form, being flattened from side to side and having the cover at one end.

1) represents the igniter attachment, which consists of a deeply-bowed strip of narrow spring metal having a branch 0 and a branch (Z which is usually longer than the branch 0. The branch 0 is provided at its end with an outward-projecting lug or catch 0 and the branch d with a notched press-lug g, which also projects outward. The branch (1 is straight and is designed when in use in the match-box to extend along the front or narrow sidewall thereof, its press-lug 9 project ing through a rounded opening h made through such wall of said box. The branches of this n-shaped attachment diverge normally a little, their lower portions being wider apart than the width of the box, so that when the attachment is placed therein the tension of the branches will cause them to press outward against the narrow side walls of the box. In this manner the lugs of the front and rear branches are caused to engage by spring-pressure the small openings 7t and kof the box, these openings being, respectively, in the nar row side Walls thereof. The bottom of the box adjacent to one narrow side wall is provided with an opening m of sufficient diameter to permit the passage of a match. The lower end if of the long branch at of the attachment is designed to engage this opening when the attachment is in position in the box. This lower end If is serrated 011 the inside, as indicated at s. The notch of the press-lug g of this branch is made at about the middle of the lug on its under side, and when it is disen- 'aged from the margin'of the opening it in the front wall of the box the tension of the spring attachment presses the end if of this branch outward against the outer margin of the opening m, so that this opening is clear sufliciently to allow one of the matches to protrude therethrough by its lower end. Then the press-lug being operated to engage its notch with the wall of the opening h the serrated end of the branch d of the attachment is pressed inward and held toward the middle of the opening m in position to engage and ignite the head of the match when quickly pulled out of the box through the latter opening.

The attachment can be readily fitted to a pocket match-box in a few moments. It can be removed to allow matches to be placed in the box and then placed in position; but the spring which extends between and has a spring engagement with opposite narrow sides of the box is narrow, being of less width than the width of the box or the distance between opposite long sides of the box, and matches may be placed in the box without moving the attachment. Should it be desired to make the igniter a permanent part of the matchbox, the short branch may be permanently secured to the back wall of the box and may serve as the opening-spring for the cover. When the box is charged with matches, it is not necessary to open the cover in order to get a match, as they are designed to be taken out through the opening in the bottom of the box.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 of the invention is shown a modification wherein the top of the box is held in position by the igniter attachment and is separable from the box upon the removal of the igniter attachment. In this form the box has seats a, wherein fit the journals y of the box-top, which are formed at the sides of the lug 2, which bears against the spring igniter attachment for the purpose of opening the top and to keep it closed. In these figures a different form of igniter attach ment is also shown, wherein the short branch 0 is free and has an indented end portion 0 terminating in a hook 0 In operation the lug 2 is received and held from displacement in said indented end portion 0 when the cover is closed, the spring igniter attachment being at the same time pressed rearwardly or put under tension. The hook c prevents the disengagement. of the lug 2 from the igniter attachment.

Having described the invention, what I claim, and desire'to secure by Letters Patent,

1. The combination with a match-box having an opening in its bottom, of a narrow bent-spring igniter attachment having a spring engagement with opposite narrow side walls of the box, one branch of said igniter attachment having a serrated end portion adapted to engage the opening in the bottom of the box, substantially as specified.

2. The combination With a match-box having a small opening in its bottom near one narrow side wall, of a narrow bent-spring igniter attachment having divergent branches having a spring engagement with opposite narrow side walls of the box, one branch of said attachment having a serrated end portion ada ted to engage the opening in the bottom of tl ie box, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with a match-box having an opening in its bottom, of a narrow bent-spring igniter attachment having its bend at the top of the box and provided with a branch engaging a narrow side wall of the box and having a serrated end portion adapted to engage the opening in the bottom of the box, substantially as specified.

4. The combination with a match-box having an opening in its bottom and an opening in a narrow side wall thereof, of a narrow bent-spring igniter attachment having its bent-spring igniter attachment having its bend at the top of the box, one branch of said attachment engaging a narrow side Wall of the box and having a serrated end portion adapted to engage the opening in; the bottom of the box, the other branch of saidv attachment being adapted to engage a lug of-the cover to open and close the same and holdit in place, substantially asspecified.

6. The combination with a match-box having a removable cover, of a spring igniter attachment havingv a long igniter branch provided with a serrated end portion, and a short spring branch engaging -a lug of said cover, and adapted to open and close the same and to hold it in place, substantially as specified.

7. The combination with amatchbox,having the body thereof provided With open journal-seats, and a separable cover having a lug provided with lateral journal extensions fiting in said seats, of an igniter attachment having a spring-arm engaging the lug of the cover, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH SYLVESTER URBAN.

Witnesses:

ROBIN O. BALsLEY, ANDY E. NIEBLING. 

